33rd

Annual

Artist Showcase

Fort Benton, Montana

January 30, 2016

MPAC is funded in part by grants from Montana’s

Cultural Trust, Montana Arts Council, Western

States Arts Federation, National Endowment for the

Arts, individual contributions, and administrative

support from Montana Arts in Bozeman.

See center of program for showcase

Schedule

Showcase I

8:30 – Delusionist Joey Pipia

One Illusion from Joey’s full show: a unique theatrical event

where wonder and the absurd are presented as one; the

audience leaves affirmed in the belief that life is profoundly

marvelous. No fancy boxes, no smoke or mirrors. Instead

it’s just the magic—straight up, fast-paced, funny and

amazing.

8:47 – The Great Bear Folk Theatre

For over 20 years, The Great Bear Folk Theatre has been

combining storytelling, theatre and folk music to create an

evening of interactive entertainment that will have you

laughing at their tandem-told versions of classic folktales,

tapping your toes to Omar’s original music, and dabbing a

tear away at Kori’s engaging personal stories. With their

extensive theatre backgrounds, stories come alive in a

unique, entertaining way. You’ll find yourself wanting to

join the storytelling movement sweeping across the country.

9:04 – Thomas Pandolfi

Thomas Pandolfi is a unique pianist who is especially at

home in the music of Beethoven, Chopin and Gershwin. His

highly popular ―themed‖ programs, many of which include

his amazing transcriptions of crossover literature, are

positively spellbinding. His equally engaging personality,

charisma and stage presence embrace the audience in the

most wonderfully captivating way. One walks away from a

Pandolfi concert with a song in one’s heart, definitely

wanting to hear more and more.

9:21 – Neal Lewing

Black Paw Music, a subsidiary of Port Polson Players, offers

a full range of educational, entertaining and uplifting family-

friendly musical and theatrical attractions. At the forefront, a

series of music/history programs illustrate Montana events or

individuals with relevant traditional and original folk music.

Primary focus of this series features ―Meagher of the

Sword,‖ the story of Montana’s first governor. No one else

offers the catalogue of programs from Bear Paw Music. Not

enough choices? That’s OK. Customized shows are our

specialty—any venue, any event, any audience. Several of

Neal Lewing’s shows are available through Humanities

Montana and have taken him across the country, to Ireland

and beyond.

9:38 – Rebecca Folsom Trio

A writer in Nashville for many years, Rebecca’s songs tell

poetic and succinct stories of bittersweet perseverance,

redemption, and forthcoming liberation. A delicious blend

of acoustic guitars, mandolin, bass and uplifting three-part

harmonies, the sound is rich and yet spare enough to let the

song shine through and shoot straight to the heart. Grammy-

nominated performers create uplifting community

experiences!

9:55 – Jonathan Kingham

Jonathan Kingham weaves folk, jazz, country and R&B

sensibilities seamlessly together in an upbeat acoustic

concert. A gifted lyrical improv artist, his audience

interaction keeps listeners fully engaged and on the edge of

their seats. Sharp songwriting and mesmerizing

performances have garnered him numerous national awards.

A prior Washington State Arts Commission Rostered

Teaching Artist, Kingham is also in demand as an artist-in-

residence teaching songwriting.

Showcase II

12:30 - Tales from the Forgotten Kingdom, performed by

Guy Mendilow Ensemble

Embark on a musical trek to kingdoms long forgotten and

bustling towns now vanished. Follow the stories of

vagabond queens, pauper poets and lovers lost to the sea, all

set to spellbinding arrangements of old Sephardi songs

worthy of symphonic film scores. Wrap up these tales with

lush, soulful harmonies evoking flamenco’s gustiness and

the longings of Fado, all combined with heart-pounding

percussion and intricate soundscapes.

Journey through the Balkans to the Mid-East beginning in

Sarajevo and winding through Salonica and Jerusalem.

Tales from the Forgotten Kingdom is a semi-theatrical

adventure where intertwining music and storytelling conjure

an imagi-nation lost to war and upheaval. Leap into wild

rides and fantastic yarns with the Guy Mendilow Ensemble,

an award-winning quintet of world-class musicians from

Israel, Palestine, Argentina, the UK and the USA. This

ensemble of internationally savvy world musicians delivers a

richly-textured global experience of haunting beauty.

―…An international tour de force.‖ Bethlehem Morning Call

12:47 – Fred Crabtree

Fred plays a different style of harmonica and guitar, a folksy,

jazzy, bluesy Americana style.

1:04 – Cascade Quartet

The Cascade Quartet is Montana’s only professional string

quartet. They serve as the resident chamber ensemble for the

Great Falls Symphony, performing concerts, interactive

school shows, community collaborations, and residency

activities for rural and urban communities throughout

Montana and the Northwest.

1:21 – Patrice Webb

Patrice Webb is an award-winning singer-songwriter from

Sandpoint, Idaho who regularly tours the Western United

States with her unique blend of folk, country, swing and

blues. She has released two CDs, both of which are

receiving international airplay. Patrice is also the host of

Sugar Mountain house concerts out of her home in

Sandpoint.

Photo credit: Lisa Turner Photography

1:38 – An Evening of Contemporary Piano with Jason

Farnham

What do you get if you mix Jerry Lee Lewis, Beethoven, and

Victor Borge in a blender? We invite you to come find out!

A highly-acclaimed pianist, Jason Farnham has performed

his popular show, An Evening of Piano, throughout North

America for audiences of all ages since 2008. Fans have

affectionately dubbed Jason ―Schroeder‖ from Peanuts

because of his zany toy piano, his witty comedy antics, and

the comfortable way he interacts with the audience. The

variety includes jazz, pop, bossa nova, blues, stride piano,

and classical with a modern twist! And of course, playing

the piano upside-down Amadeus-style has become Jason’s

trademark. Audiences enthusiastically rave after the show,

―I’ve never seen anyone play the piano quite like that

before.‖

1:55 – Maracujá

Maracujá takes you on a journey around Latin America

through music. From fiery Cuban Son and Brazilian samba-

funk, to soothing bossa nova and wistful boleros, Maracujá

plays music for dancing, music for listening, music to make

you smile. Maracujá can perform in intimate settings as a

duo or trio or grow to a full band to play high-powered Afro-

Cuban and Brazilian rhythms to make a crowd swing and

dance.

Welcome to the.33rd

Annual Montana Performing

Arts Consortium Artist Showcase

Saturday’s Showcase is divided into three sections: 8:30

AM to 10:07, 12:30 PM to 2:07 PM and 3:45 PM to 5:05

PM. The format for each Showcase is a live 12-minute

presentation followed by a 5 minute break between artists to

reset the stage for the next artist. During this time Resource

Room artists may also have 2 minutes in which to present

information. Each Showcase session is immediately

followed by one hour in which the Resource Room is open.

Admission is by MPAC conference badge only.

In early November an MPAC jury selected each artist

appearing in the Showcase on the basis of artistic excellence

and quality of their promotional materials.

Showcase I

8:30 – Delusionist Joey Pipia

8:47 – The Great Bear Folk Theatre

9:04 – Thomas Pandolfi

9:21 – Neal Lewing

9:38 – Rebecca Folsom Trio

9:55 – Jonathan Kingham

Showcase II

12:30 – Tales from the Forgotten Kingdom, performed

by Guy Mendilow Ensemble

12:47 – Fred Crabtree

1:04 – Cascade Quartet

1:21 – Patrice Webb

1:38 – An Evening of Contemporary Piano with Jason

Farnham

1:55 – Maracujá

Showcase III

3:45 – Too Marvelous for Words: Nat “King” Cole

Tribute

4:02 – Everything Fitz

4:19 – Louie Bond & His Country Swing Duo

4:36 – Take 5

4:53 – Fubuki Daiko

Please remain seated while artists are on stage.

Please turn off cell phones as a courtesy to the artists

and other audience members.

Showcase III

3:45 – Too Marvelous for Words: Nat “King” Cole

Tribute

Too Marvelous For Words: A Celebration of the Nat “King”

Cole Trio is a fun and swingin’ journey into the early days of

Nat King Cole. Before ―The Christmas Song‖ and ―Mona

Lisa‖ that we know from the crooner standing in front of the

orchestra, Nat was recording and playing (from the piano

bench!) some of the tastiest and most influential music of the

day, leaving an impact not only on an array of singers, but

also on such pianists as Oscar Peterson and Ahmad Jamal.

Drawing on his experience as both an actor and a

singer/pianist, Peter Smith (creator) effortlessly weaves in

stories from this period in Nat King Cole’s life as they relate

to the song selections, creating an evening that is fun,

informative and leaves the audiences tapping their feet and

pondering the fascinating tidbits of Nat’s life.

4:02 – Everything Fitz

The Fitzgerald family’s musical journey began early in life

as they studied the unique style that evolved with Irish,

Scottish and French immigrants. Developing their art form

from these deep and lasting roots, Everything Fitz presents a

high-energy program which blends traditional jigs and reels,

bluegrass, jazz, Celtic and stepdance routines. This is a

show for all ages and musical tastes. Be ready to be

entertained!

―I think together they are a beautiful blend of gorgeous

fiddle music, and top rate, absolutely exhilarating dance

routines.‖ Natalie MacMaster.

4:19 – Louie Bond & His Country Swing Duo

Where jazz and country meet, Louie Bond and Kimberlee

Carlson perform classic Texas swing and country swing with

stellar guitar work and an excellent vocal duo blend.

4:36 – Take 5

The Take 5 Jazz Quintet captures the spirit and festiveness of

the golden age of jazz and beyond. These Boise, Idaho

based performers borrow from their extensive jazz roots and

explore a varied program of music spanning a half century of

jazz. Joyful, sultry and magnetic are words to describe the

band’s featured vocalist, Shirley Van Paepeghem. She is

joined by a talented ensemble whose versatile backgrounds

include being Director of Vocal Jazz at Boise State

University, touring with 3 Dog Night, Rick Springfield and

Tina Turner, and performing for the Walt Disney Company.

The band’s combined teaching experience with

undergraduate and master’s degrees offers them the ability to

present effective student outreach programs guaranteed to

inspire young talent.

On stage, Take 5 combines magnetic stage presence and

superb musicianship with wonderful musical arrangements

and dynamic vocals to create a unique, fun and enjoyable

performance of classic American jazz.

4:53 – Fubuki Daiko

Combining their traditional Japanese training with their

North American roots, this dynamic taiko drum group melds

hard-driving percussion and gentle bamboo flute melodies in

heart-felt displays of musicianship, humour, and sheer

physical stamina.

Resource Room Artists

Resource Room admission is by conference badge only.

Drum Brothers

Drum Brothers present high energy performances that

celebrate a diverse mix of world instruments and sounds:

West African djembe and dunun drums, middle Eastern

frame drums, Australian didgeridoo, close harmony vocals,

acoustic guitar, flute and saxophone, and original

arrangements and compositions. They’ve performed at

numerous venues throughout the Northwest and Canada,

have been a featured act at the Seattle World Percussion

Festival, and recently were guest artists on the Montana PBS

program, 11th

& Grant with Eric Funk. Drum Brothers have

been at the forefront of the American hand drumming

movement since it began in the early 1990’s. Over the years,

they’ve offered numerous school and community rhythm

classes, drum circles, and more recently, interactive team

building events for organizations and community groups.

The ensemble is comprised of Matthew and Michael

Marsolek, Lawrence Duncan and Colin Ruggeriero.

Scott Kirby

Main Street Souvenirs is a musical and cinematic explosion

of Americana. Exploring small town America, and featuring

the Great Plains. Pianist/visual artist, Scott Kirby, takes us

on a journey through the Heartland with his live piano

performance, original art (projected on

a screen), photography, video and storytelling.

Tra le Gael

Sliding from one Celtic tune to another, Tra Le Gael will

effortlessly pull you across the moors and into a rollicking

pub. This ensemble can melt your heart and set your foot to

tapping with their lovely renditions of traditional reels and

jigs as well as contemporary compositions. Hailing from the

Flathead Valley, Tra le Gael is an affordable Montana choice

when you are looking for musicians who can easily entertain

in a concert hall as well as enamor youngsters in an energetic

outreach program with harp, dulcimer, fiddle, whistles,

mandolins, guitar and drums. Featured on Montana PBS’

11th

& Grant with Eric Funk, the members of Tra le Gael,

with poise and panache, share their joy with audiences of all

ages.

Space for Notes

More Space for Notes

Some of MPAC’s Members

Location of some of Montana Performing Arts Consortium’s

members. Keep in mind Montana is approximately 600

miles wide and the northeastern and northwestern borders

span the entire Mountain Time Zone. Population is just over

1 million according to U.S. Census estimate.

Map courtesy of Jim Peaco

Montana Performing Arts Consortium

Brief History

The Montana Performing Arts Consortium (MPAC)

incorporated in November, 1982, and became tax-exempt the

following year. During its first quarter century, MPAC

arranged over three hundred tours of performing arts events

and saved presenters over $1,000,000 in reduced fees and

travel costs for block-booked events (cost difference between

a single run-out and a block rate). These savings not only

increased the number of events presenters were able to offer,

but also stimulated audience growth.

MPAC continues to assist the development of rural and

emerging presenters through the Presenter Development

program designed specifically for their needs. Since 1987,

with funds from the Montana Cultural Trust and Montana

Arts Council, MPAC has supplied over $295,000 in fee

support monies to emerging and established rural presenters.

This assistance helped them in developing performing arts

series, upgrading existing series, and developing artist

residency programs in their communities.

The Consortium orchestrated the state’s blockbuster tour of

the Denver Center Theatre Company’s production of the

play ―Quilters‖. Due to the organizational and fundraising

efforts of MPAC, an unprecedented thirteen communities

were able to participate. Since that time MPAC has block-

booked such performers as B. B. King, Turtle Island String

Quartet, John Houseman’s The Acting Company, California

E. A. R. Unit, The Kronos Quartet, Phillip Glass, Wynton

Marsalis, Merce Cunningham, and dozens more.

Since the first live Showcase in 1983, at least six different

artists who participated went on to receive either a

nomination for or win a Grammy Award.

Acknowledgements

Montana Performing Arts Consortium wishes to thank:

Don Phillips, Stage Manager

Michael Jones, Sound

Randy Morger, Emcee

Connie Jenkins, Chouteau County Performing Arts

Fort Benton Woman’s Club

Arlynn Fishbaugh, Executive Director, and the

Montana Arts Council

Seyan Lucero, Associate Director, WESTAF

Andy Thomas, Information Specialist, WESTAF

Bomgardner Catering

Montana Agricultural Center and Museum

Fort Benton Elementary School

Sterling Burch

The Club House

Grand Union Hotel